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NFL Films: 2003 Indianapolis Colts

Alright, I love these. Prepare for me to put these here when I find them.

Two New Colts

 Happy Saturday. Er, Friday. Feels that way when you take a day off for the first time in a while. As I battle through a bout of gastritis/stomach ulcer pain, I attended the NCAA tournament for the first time today. It was definitely on my sports bucket list. There was some news in Colts land in the past 48 hours.

The Colts signed Tom Zbikowski! They now have a real walking, breathing safety! Here are some things to know about 'Zib', and I suggest a visit to his football reference page if you want to spend time looking at old football information that will waste a lot of your precious time you can never get back.

• Notre Dame product, was a teammate of Brady Quinn.
• Selected in the 3rd round, 86th overall in the 2008 NFL draft.
• Has basically played only on special teams even though he figures to be the starter for the Colts.
• Who he might be when he grows up: Jim Leonard-type with an emphasis on his ability to return punts.

Also, another Eagle has left the nest for Naptown. His name is Mike McGlynn. On McGlynn:

• From Austintown, Ohio. Was a Pittsburgh Panther on Saturdays.
• 4th round pick, 109th overall in the 2008 NFL draft. 
• Started 14 games for the Eagles in 2010 at center, and then 4 last season for the Bengals at guard.
• Figures to be a swing-man type on the line. Hopefully just a back-up.

Also in closing out this post, Peyton Manning plans to sign with his new team next week. Rumor has it that the new team is the Broncos, and there's an interesting story behind it all.

Reggie Wayne - A Colt for Life

Here's a great read from the Indystar Blog Bounce it off Phil B. on Reggie Wayne's decision to remain a Colt.

Winston Justice will beef up Colts Offensive Line

Today the Colts opened up the morning by acquiring Offensive Tackle Winston Justice from the Philadelphia Eagles (Grigson connection here), and they didn't have to give up a whole lot to get Justice.

The two teams simply swapped 6th round selections in the upcoming NFL draft, meaning now the Eagles get the No. 2 pick in the sixth-round from the Colts, and Indy gets the No. 17 pick in the sixth-round along with Justice.

Justice will probably be playing a lot of right tackle for Indianapolis. If you're getting to know Winston Justice's name for the first time, here are some notes:

• He's going to be playing in his age 28 season.
• He played college football as a USC Trojan. 
• I've seen him listed at 6'5" and 300 and also 6'6" and 320. 
• He's made 31 starts in his NFL career, all as an Eagle. 
• You might remember the night in 2007 when he allowed Osi Umeniyora to get four sacks of Donovan McNabb. That's my NFL memory of Winston Justice.

I think a lot of people expected the Eagles/Ravens connection from Grigson and Pagano, and this is definitely one of those moves. You have to think the Colts are thinking one thing right now, get bigger in the trenches immediately, and start compiling lineman so they can have every chance to keep Andrew Luck unscathed in his rookie season.

Justice will be a guy who the Colts are depending heavily on in 2012 to protect the franchise. He's an important piece to the puzzle. 

Colts Agree to Terms with DE Cory Redding

Chuck Pagano has brought over his first Baltimore Ravens cast-off. Cory Redding was signed today to a 3-year, $10.5 million dollar deal.

Things to know:

-Redding was a 3rd round pick (66th overall) out of Texas, originally beginning his career with the Detroit Lions in 2003.
-His best year was 2006, when he had 8 sacks for the Lions.
-His second highest sack total was last season with 4.5 in Baltimore.
-This will be his 4th stop in the NFL. This will be his age 32 season.

Reggie Wayne signs 3-year Deal to Remain with Colts

The greatest Colts wide receiver of all-time will be given the opportunity to keep on keeping on in Indianapolis. Reggie Wayne has signed a three year contract extension with the Colts. Terms were believed to be $17.5 million dollars over the life of the deal that should allow Wayne to retire a Colt.

And suddenly, things don't seem so bad. The Colts retain one of the best receivers in the game to help out Andrew Luck. And if they can add another piece or two, this offense has a chance. Not everyone is leaving Naptown.

Welcome home #87. Put the money in the bag!

Peter King MMQB on Peyton Manning Free Agency

"I still am trying to get my brain around the thought that one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time is a street free agent -- and was in our building talking about playing for our team,'' said one official of a team in the running this weekend.

Free Agency Tuesday

This is a couple of items that I ordered off the menu at the Colts Grille in Indianapolis when my wife and I made a stop there Super Bowl weekend. It's my favorite restaurant on the planet, and I had to get these pictures on the blog somewhere.

*Also, if you stop in the Colts Grille on a Tuesday, you can get the Yak burger. Try it if you're ever in town.

Today at 4:00 PM ET, NFL free agency begins.

I don't expect the Colts to be very big players. But we'll keep the updates flowing frequently throughout the day and night.

Pierre Garcon has probably played his last down as an Indianapolis Colt.

Colts Showing Some Class with Mural message

Hat tip: Stampede Blue

Make Your Luck (Nike Football Commercial)

Andrew Luck could have done worse in his first NFL commercial.

Reservoir Colts

Everyone is being whacked in Indianapolis. This is increasingly feeling like Reservoir Dogs. No one survives this purging.

The Colts said goodbye to a lot of their core today. With Addai, Clark, Bullitt, Brackett (and Curtis Painter on the side) being the latest and most prominent names to hit the free agent market, the Colts regime is sending out a silent message.

With Peyton being out of the way, and Dwight Freeney likely next; the Colts are going to be Robert Mathis, Andrew Luck and a bunch of new faces filling out the media guide next year.

They're starting over, completely. They just might resemble the 1999 Cleveland Browns--if you were feeling like this is an expansion era NFL team you were probably not far off in your assumption.

There's something concerning about what the Colts are doing and the way they're doing it. But also with a purge, a fasting, or a diet--it's sometimes surprisingly energizing. The most painful week in the history of the Indianapolis Colts is wrapping up. And we're about to enter one of the most intriguing periods here in the near future.

When will Colts negotiate contract with Andrew Luck?

With Peyton Manning off the Colts roster, they're currently naked in terms of having a starting Quarterback on the team. The next question logically becomes, when do they start to negotiate a deal with presumed #1 overall draft pick Andrew Luck?

It was reported just before the combine began that the Colts were free to sign Luck before the draft began, a notion that Grigson shot down pretty quickly just the day after the option was presented to the public.

That said, it's easy to tell if you read between the lines that Jim Irsay is smitten with Andrew Luck. The Colts didn't even interview Robert Griffin III at the combine at the end of last month. They have made up their mind who is going #1 overall.

Now that the Manning saga has played itself out and the hardest part is behind the Colts, the logical next step would be to cement the sale and sign Luck to his rookie contract, making him the first true building block of the rebuild.

I would be very surprised if we don't see something around this prior to next month's draft. The Colts won't be without a face of the franchise for long.

Drew Magary on Peyton Manning leaving Indy

The reactions will continue to trickle in, and while Drew Magary from Kissing Suzy Kolber (and now Deadspin) isn't always right, he usually sums things up pretty well. He's like me, just a fan at the core. For instance, I loved his post on Randy Moss the day Moss retired. He was pretty much spot on.

Here's his spot on Peyton Manning today.

No other quarterback in NFL history—not Marino, not Montana, not Elway, not Favre, not Brady—has ever strung together such a remarkably consistent run of excellence. And now that run is over, just like that. I'm not sure any successful NFL tenure has ended so abruptly. Twelve months ago, Manning was everything to the Colts, and now he'll be cut without recompense. You already know why the Colts are doing this, and why it makes perfect sense. But that doesn't make the whole phenomenon any less bizarre. It's still mind-blowing to think that even one of the greatest QBs of all time is still a fungible cog in the NFL's machinery, dispatched in a relatively quick manner for the sake of "building for the future." In the NFL, the future is always the prize. The now is undervalued, and the past is utterly worthless.

Those last three sentences really are the take home message from today.

Colts Release Peyton Manning

The end has officially arrived. It was a pretty sad scene really. I feel for Jim Irsay, and I especially feel for Peyton Manning. On a larger scale, it's an awakening for me as a sports fan. If this can happen to Peyton Manning it can happen to any player in sports.

In terms of being an NFL fan and following that shield my entire life, this is one of the paramount moments you just don't forget. I'll always remember the day the Colts and Peyton Manning broke up. Like in all the classic Mafia movies, Manning was the last to get whacked in this one as all the old boys who had gone before him.

In terms of how huge this was, even CNN televised the press conference. I got a text from my wife during lunch hour saying that she was watching it from the student center of her university. Everyone knows about this. When I leave the parking lot at work tonight, I'll have to pick between ESPN and local Indianapolis 1260 WNDE because the coverage will be everywhere until we go to sleep tonight.

There will be plenty of time to talk about the Colts, and Andrew Luck (the most important part of the rebuild), who the Colts will draft, Chuck Pagano, Ryan Grigson and the new band that is getting ready to set up shop on stage. But today is about Peyton Manning. It's about an icon, and a door closing today.

As a football fan, just remember you will always be able to stay within the warmth of all the memories.

Seattle Seahawks to make a monster run at Peyton Manning

With the release of Peyton Manning coming at a noon press conference today in Indianapolis, the first shots of one of the NFL's other 31 franchises figures to be fired by the Seattle Seahawks.

According to this report, the Seahawks are preparing to “come out checkbook blazing".

I had originally thought the Kansas City Chiefs would be the team to pick up Peyton Manning. It was no more than a gut feeling that gained steam as time went on after I had initially had the thought. Now I truly believe in my heart that Seattle could work for Manning.

I particularly think that the interaction he would have with head coach Pete Carroll would be one that would be effective; Carroll is a veteran coach that doesn't seem to be a control freak. He could let Manning come in and have control of the offense for a few years and focus on other areas of his football team. Carroll has been close to turning the corner in Seattle but has lacked the signal caller to fully make his own break.

Also, when big money is being thrown around; it shows that you are very desired. I think the Seahawks will show the most amount of desire in terms of teams with their checkbooks.

Don't discount the fact that Seattle isn't a huge media market. This is a situation Manning might find some fondness with. They don't have five beat writers in Seattle. It's the opposite reasoning which leads me to rule out destinations like the New York Jets and Washington Redskins.

I think the only teams in the realistic Peyton Manning market will be Seattle, Kansas City, Miami, and Arizona.

Peyton Manning Era Comes to an End

After 14 years and 4,682 pass completions, the Peyton Manning era in Indianapolis is over with.

Here's a video from the airport in Indianapolis tonight, where the Colts owner and former QB landed in anticipation for their noon press conference tomorrow:

Full reaction coming, as the boys said; tomorrow.

If you want a primer, here's Bob Kravitz's take at the Indy Star. He will never cover a bigger story.

The Peyton Manning YouTube Workout Video

Above is the video of Peyton Manning making four throws that was clearly put out by Manning Camp early this morning. In actuality, it was between the 1:00 and 2:00 AM hour last night. At the :06 mark, you've got "what a ball". That tips me off that this video was put out by Peyton Manning's group (along with the fact that Chris Mortensen broke the story). But what was the reason?

He obviously wants to show that he is healthy. That he can still play. But what about his status with the Colts? Is he trying to show the Colts organization he can still play so they'll pick up the option? After all, Jim Irsay did say that if #18 is healthy he'll be a Colt.

Everywhere else, people are saying it's a matter of when and where until Manning moves on.

Thursday the wait should be over. That's March 8th. But I wouldn't discount the possibility of Jim Irsay and Peyton delaying things and making us wait a while longer. It just doesn't feel like an answer is coming Thursday, does it?

REPORT: Peyton Manning would love to have Reggie Wayne in his new landing spot

Sports Illustrated's Peter King wrote today offering a few new nuggets for us that have all been following this Peyton Manning storyline so very closely.

King writes:

The latest in the Peyton Manning story involves a Manning-Reggie Wayne reunion, which I'm told at least two potential suitor teams would seriously consider in an attempt to lure the rehabbing Manning if the Colts cut him between now and the March 8 deadline Indianapolis has for exercising a $28 million option bonus to keep the legendary quarterback.

This is interesting. This allows for very little speculation, because it's Peter King and he's accurate when it comes to sources and people telling him things. He's stayed away from touching the Manning subject much at all--partly because he probably figures he's going to have plenty of time to react to it after more details come out following the big March 8 date.

But here King says that there are two organizations that would consider a package deal of Manning and Wayne together. That is at least two franchises who are planning strategy for the impending release of Peyton Manning. Again, why would NFL teams even discuss this if it wasn't something that was going to happen?

Such a pairing would not only be a plus for Manning, who would love to see it happen, according to one NFL source. But also it would allow him to go to his new team with one familiar receiving face, and if you can say one thing about Manning, it's that he loves familiarity, particularly in how his receivers anticipate throws and the precision of their route-running.
 
Above is probably the most interesting part of the entire article. We've got the ever popular NFL source who has Peyton Manning speculating on a new landing spot next season and admitting wanting to take Reggie Wayne with him when he goes.

King then goes on to rank the suitors with the usual suspects involved, and their potential fit for not only Manning but also Wayne. From there, King offers us the bit of information that Pierre Garcon might have turned down the Colts offer for a contract so that he can wait and see how the Manning situation shakes out.

Personally, I would like to see the Colts retain Reggie Wayne at all costs so he can be a target for Andrew Luck. It doesn't seem likely that it's going to happen, but a man can dream.

Silver: Irsay plans to move on from Peyton Manning, forward with Andrew Luck

Another day at the NFL combine, another big piece of news regarding the big situation in Indianapolis.

This time it's from Yahoo! Sports Michael Silver.

I've been waiting for Silver to weigh in on this with his summary of events--deciding that I was going to go with whatever position Silver presented. He's mad ea career of being a solid and accurate reporter. When Silver writes something, you can take it to the bank. He's like a Jay Glazer in that respect. While he leaves the door open slightly for a Manning return to Indianapolis, unless “something dramatic and unexpected” happens, Manning will be released in the next few days.

And for those who think that Robert Griffin III's insane 40-yard dash time of 4.41 will sway Indianapolis' front office to look at takind the Baylor Quarterback with the first overall selection, Silver offers this valuable nugget.

As one Colts source said earlier this week, “Luck is The Guy. I don’t care what happens [at the combine]. I don’t care if Griffin flies.”

Silver also makes some really key points that haven't really been brought to light yet. If Irsay allows Manning to remain in the organization, he's not really allowing his new hires in Chuck Pagano and Ryan Grigson a full opportunity at success. Silver also talks about the situations leading up to the new coach and General Manager--the firing of Bill Polian, Jim Caldwell, and the head trainer that was helping with Manning's rehabilitation. 

With each passing day, more and more reputable folks are staking their claim to the idea that a divorce is coming between the Colts and Peyton Manning. If it happens we'll be here to react to anything and everything that shakes out. Some gigantic news is coming the way of this Colts organization as soon as the owner can get his bearings straight and decide to start building around the future of the organization.

That most valuable building block ran a 4.59 40-yard dash this morning at the combine. Get him some weapons and reload.

It's Combine Time

I spent about four hours today watching the NFL Combine on the NFL Network. It's the first time I've devoted much time to the event, and I have to say that it's great. It makes for a more educated NFL fan. It's the primer; the meat and potatoes of the game I crave more of. In fact as I write this post, I've got the replay of Mike Mayock, Rich Eisen and company replaying and I probably will until I pass out.

The combine is a rite of passage for any fan claiming to be a die hard. It's flow-over-the-top analysis and more football than anyone really needs. And yet that's why it's so great. The combine gives you a chance to get to know an NFL prospect from the very beginning even if you only got to see a guy play once or twice in his four years in college. Or not at all. It's the chance to know a guy from seed to sprout to fully grown stage. And if you think there's no difference between a guy like Stanford guard David Decastro and Utah tackle John Cullen, watch the combine. You'll see who is an athlete and who just isn't a 'natural bender' as Mayock said. I am absolutely hooked.

Tie in all the stuff that's going on with the Quarterback, the Owner, and the prospect of a lifetime; and we've got a real storyline on our hands unfolding in the city that hosts the combine.

The biggest piece of news that worked it's way out today--and you knew something would--is that due to the new CBA in place the Colts organization would not be permitted to see Peyton Manning throw before making any type of decision on him. That said, it's my belief that the Colts have already made the decision regardless and Peyton knows the decision.

Now why would those be on clearance?

Here's some other interesting pieces of note from the day:

-Todd McShay says Andrew Luck over RG3 and it's not even close. [ESPN]
-Indy wants, and should get another Superbowl soon. [PFT]
-Teammates talk about Andrew Luck. [Stampede Blue]

I think I'm going to wake up nice and early tomorrow and get some coffee and watch the QB's, receivers, and running backs at the combine starting at 9 am.

Scout-Speak on Andrew Luck & RGIII

There's a reason I love this time of year so much. It's getting to hear scouts talk anonymously about the guys in the draft. I like to dig up this stuff years later and see what was accurate and what was way off. Thanks to Yahoo's Jason Cole (via Pro Football Talk) we've got some good old fashioned pre-combine and pre-draft scout talk.

This time, it's the declaration that 14 of 15 NFL scouts would take Andrew Luck as the top selection over Robert Griffin III.

Something that echoes what Colin Cowherd has said about Luck for months that I agree with:

” … He can walk in, run a team right now and do enough things that you can play competent, winning football. That’s the worst he’s going to be. He’s going to be a player on your team for 10 years, barring injury, and in this business that’s saying a lot.”

I'll say this, his floor is probably around the Eli Manning or Tim Couch range. Yes, I can put those two men together because physically I don't think there was a huge difference but the difference came in team talent around them. His ceiling is probably something similar to Peyton Manning or Joe Montana.

You're not getting a guy who will bust in the NFL. You're getting a guy who at the very least is going to allow you to compete every year and a few of those years when the ball bounces your way and you have the right talent around the guy; you're going to compete for a title.

Sound familiar?

Eye Opening Irsay Quotes

Everyone knows of the big news from yesterday. But a deeper look at some of the things Jim Irsay said (in this case, in an SI article by Don Banks) gives an indication of where this is all headed.

"He may not ever be able to play again,'' Irsay said. "We just don't know that yet. It's a question of whether his arm comes back, and the nerve regeneration occurs. It's always been an issue about his long-term health after football, that's the big issue. And then there are salary cap consequences that have to be dealt with as part of his return. But it's going to be his call whether he stays.

You don't know that? Peyton would probably not like you saying that. You've seen the man throw. You were reportedly 'pleased' at the way he threw. If you're doubting that he can ever play again then this should be a relatively simple conversation and no one should fault you for the tough business decision you must make.

"If he can get healthy and he wants to take the risk of playing, I'd rather see him be here and play for us this year. It can be worked out. If he can get back to the point of being the old Peyton Manning, he can play for us this season and handle it better than a rookie quarterback would be able to handle it.''

So, just this season or what? Isn't this really just pushing out the real problem at hand one more year? That is unless, you think Peyton will retire in a season. Otherwise, what are you going to do? Sit Andrew Luck for a second year? Release Peyton before next year? The mention of the 'this season' shows that Manning is likely not desired beyond this season.

And how do you feel about him taking the 'risk' of playing? Don't you want him to take the risk? Because it sounds like you would not be too unhappy if he didn't.

"But if he can play, he could do that for us this season and then he'd have the choice of whether to retire, with his number retired, the statue built and the whole thing. If he's healthy, he'd handle 2012 better than Andrew could. But ultimately I have always wanted him to make the decision, with us having pointed out the risk and the stress he's putting his neck under by playing. The biggest aspect is I want him to be comfortable with his decision.''

And there it is. The 'AHA' quote of the entire article. You're taking 'Andrew', aren't you. You finally said it. Perfect world, Peyton comes in and mentors Luck for a season on your terms and you're not the bad guy. And from there you have to do what you have to do, really.

"That's the last he'd want to do for this team, put us in that kind of salary cap situation,'' Irsay said. "He wants to come back and he wants to win. I should say I assume he wants to come back. With Peyton, sometimes you never know. But that's why we're going to have a meeting in a few days. I think he has some real comfort in the idea of finishing his career here, but I think he's conflicted perhaps given the circumstances. We'll find out soon.''

You probably should have found out man to man before this was any type of story. The fact that you didn't is pretty telling, at least I think. With Peyton, sometimes you never know. After all, he is a politician.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis, St. Elmos & Legacy

Albert Breer had an awesome write-up on NFL.com tonight.

It's a must read for any Colts fan or even any NFL fan. It really sheds light on what he means to the community of Indianapolis. And what he'll always mean. Next time I'm in Indy, I have to go to St. Elmo's. Everyone talks about it.

And maybe I'll visit the Peyton Manning room.

Irsay-Peyton Meeting Could Be This Week

File this under the 'I'll believe it when I see it category', but NFL Insider Mike Freeman from CBS Sports says that a league source has speculated the most anticipated meeting in modern Indianapolis Colts sports history could be this week.

One league source said the two might finally have a sit-down this week to talk. That's not definite but it seems likely. One thing that's become clear is the two men don't want another circus. Both sides don't want to meet, I'm told, the week of the combine and thus have Manning news dominate the way it did Super Bowl week.

It remains possible the two men wait until after the combine but the feeling seems to be they want to get the meeting over with sooner than later. It's highly likely they meet in secret and no one finds out until afterwards.

I agree with that last part. No one is going to break this story. Which is why whatever insider told Freeman that the meeting was going down this week was likely just guessing, and if he's right he'll have been lucky guessing.

We'll hear something when something gets done. The closer it gets to March 8th, the more chance I would think that Manning remains a Colt. If he weren't going to work something out with Indianapolis, I would think that he would push for a resolve to be as quick as possible.

The other interesting note is that neither side wants a media circus, so they're keeping it away from the NFL Combine. Are you kidding me? Whenever this goes down it's going to be like Defcon One. The media will flock, and it will be all that is talked about and reported about for a week. It's silly to think otherwise.

The last statement made by Freeman is one that I don't know to be necessarily true.

My guess -- everyone in football's guess -- is that the two men will basically say their goodbyes. No one, and I mean no one, expects Manning back. Stranger things have happened but it appears almost certain the meeting is the first step in the departure of Manning from the Colts.

We shall see.

RUMOR: Peyton Manning would like to play for Texans

According to Bob Allen of ABC 13 out of Houston, someone who is close friends with the Manning family says that 'Peyton Manning is definitely interested in possibly coming to the Texans'.

Really sounds like there are a lot of certainties doesn't it.

Someone I know who is close friends with the Manning family says Peyton is definitely interested in possibly coming to the Texans. Peyton will be released by the Colts early next month and will be a free agent. The person who knows the Mannings says Peyton wants to play on a team that has a chance of going to a Super Bowl, and the Texans fit that description.

Another big plus is that the Texans are in the Colts division. Manning not only knows the division, but I'm told the relationship between him and Colts owner Robert Irsay now is strictly business. And don't underplay the competitiveness between Peyton and Eli -- it "does" matter that Eli has two Super Bowl rings to his one.

Give this post the old grain of salt treatment until there is something to build off of this. The biggest thing to take from this is unless Bob Allen's source (and a close friend of the Manning family) is completely lying to him, it's a foregone conclusion that: 1) Manning will be released in March, and 2) Manning is already thinking about his next stop.

Also interesting is that the relationship between 'Bob Irsay' and Manning is now just strictly business. We have to assume that Allen meant Jim. Let's hope he's not making a mistake that his father Bob made so many years ago by allowing John Elway to end up in Denver.

REPORT: Peyton Manning Logo Removed from Side of Lucas Oil

Reports are starting to file in that the Colts have removed the image of the start Quarterback from the side of their stadium.

If you drive by the stadium once where there was a huge picture of Manning on the side of the building is now gone. It has been replaced by a Colts Logo. For what it's worth, Dwight Freeney is still up.

More to come on this as we have it.

UPDATE: The report was a mistake. We're sorry. 

Colts Featured on Mike & Mike's Two-A-Days

The Colts were featured this morning on ESPN's Mike & Mike in the morning for their 'Two-a-day' segments that will rundown each team's off-season.

I won't do a full recap but you can listen to the segment here. It featured the usual topics, Luck, Manning and the fact they think a release of #18 is pretty imminent. I am not sold on that yet. 

All has been quiet on the (Mid)Western front lately. We'll just have to wait and see what develops before anything else is speculated upon. Or we'll let others do that for us.

The Manning Face

This is pretty funny: Dave's Art Locker has Peyton Manning in every NFL logo. Thank goodness there is a Deadspin to track all this good stuff down.

Also, here's another ESPN article that acts like it's a forgone conclusion that Peyton Manning is history in Indianapolis. I don't believe this yet. There are too many other pieces of information out there suggesting he could still return.

More to come on all of this as it shakes out. Hopefully we have some direction within the next week.

Adam Schefter: Irsay/Manning Meeting Could Come Next Week

Heard Adam Schefter on ESPN's Mike & Mike in the Morning this morning. Here's a recap:

-He made a few calls yesterday, although things are quiet right now the general feeling is that the meeting between Irsay and Peyton will most likely come next week. The feeling right now is kind of like a longtime couple, they just don't want to "break up". As silly as it sounds, that's what he said.

-Said that something would have happened sooner if the Super Bowl had not been in their city. Something will have to happen by the time the combine rolls around in 2 weeks because that is once again in their city and they'll want resolution before there are more media types swarming them again. (Although personally, what do these guys care?)

-Again Schefter alluded to the fact that Manning is open to structuring his contract in a way that would allow any new team that signs him to assume little risk. (My thought here, is WHY won't someone including Mike & Mike ask the question 'would Peyton do this option for the Colts')

-Schefter basically said that the Colts are moving on. It's not that they can't decide to go with Peyton and Luck this next season; it's that it doesn't make sense. You select a QB #1 overall, that player needs all the playing time and all the reps he can get. At that point, Schefter adds, what could Luck possibly 'learn' from Peyton Manning from sitting on the bench?

Super Bowl Saturday in Indianapolis

Here's a collection of photos I was able to collect on the Saturday before the Super Bowl in Indianapolis. I made the trip there with my wife and our friend Alessandra. We made a lifelong memory.

We arrived in Super Bowl city around 10:00 AM and it was like instant Heaven. I have seen a lot of scenes in sports, but it was one of those moments when I just couldn't believe that we were able to actually be there in the flesh. This above is one of the first early morning shots of Lucas Oil when we parked and got out of the car in Indianapolis.

Here's a shot of Lucas Oil Stadium after we parked the car. It's beautiful and I can't wait for my first trip inside the palace that will belong to Andrew Luck someday. You needed credentials to get past security, something we absent-mindedly didn't think of when we made the trip to Indy. We thought we were going to be able to walk up to the stadium and get pictures. Not the case.

I've seen this a couple of times when I've been to Indianapolis. I want to know more about it, what it is. It's on the side of a couple of sports bars that appear to be closest to the stadium in Indy.

Here it is, the majestic view of the backside of the stadium from where we parked. This was taken on our morning walk into the city.

The media horde appeared as soon as you got to center city Indy.

More media horde.

All street roads were marked in the 'Super Bowl Village' by team names.

There were cool mural-like paintings of Eli Manning (pictured above) and Tom Brady on each side of Lucas Oil Stadium.

Look closely. This is behind the live filming of Saturday morning's Sportscenter on ESPN. Steve Young, Trent Dilfer, and Steve Levy were at work as we stood behind and watched.

Here's what the television looked like, shot of Indianapolis in the background. There were lots of Colts fans and #18 jerseys that weren't pictured.

Here's the infamous Super Bowl 'Zipline'. We didn't wait in line to do it. It seemed like a long wait for 30 seconds of fun.

This was the artificial surface field outside the NFL Fan Experience. I had never stood on NFL artificial surface until this point. I can see why players say it's just like grass.

This is an ice sculpture we saw downtown on our way to eating lunch at the Colts Grille.

Here's the prices of Super Bowl tickets in the StubHub booth that we walked into. This was around 11:30 AM Saturday. I guess tickets got as low as around $1,200.00 by kickoff.

Here's Antrel Rolle. We went into the Giants team hotel before lunch and saw the entire Giants team load the bus and head to practice.

Just a Hallway the players were all walking by to head to the team bus at the J.W. Marriot. Looks like my camera failed me a little bit.

This was the elevator all the players came down before walking past us at the Marriot. As you can see, we weren't the only fans there who wanted to wish the Giants well on the way to their last walk-through before the big game.

Here's my first time at the NFL Experience. It was very neat, I wish I had more than one day to see everything. My favorite thing at the Experience was the memorabilia show. I would have liked to get my picture taken with the Lombardi Trophy but I wasn't feeling up to waiting in the line.

Probably the best shot of the entire day. There's Kevin Gilbride, Giants Offensive Coordinator and Eli Manning. When I saw Manning walk by and just the emotion he seemed to carry--how laid back he was--I knew the Giants were headed for a win on Sunday and another World Championship.

One of my other favorite Giants, Victor Cruz.

My favorite restaurant in the world. Every time I go to Indy, I'm headed here in some fashion.

Who wouldn't want to stay the night at the Bud Light hotel? Bud Light, the official beer of the NFL.

The Colts Grille just looks cool from the outside.

I still have no clue what "Put the Money in the Bag" means, Reggie Wayne. But you remain one of my favorite Indianapolis Colts of all-time and I hope you're coming back.

This was the hotel that we spent a large portion of the day at. A famous shot that got a lot of television time as the week went on.

There's nothing not to love about the Colts Grille, even the ketchup.

I'm a Buckeye, and I love this man. Thanks for all those Saturdays, Jim.

A legend.

Completely over-rated. The NFL Shop before you left the NFL Experience. Stuff was marked up 200% and the selection just wasn't that great. Glad I kept my wallet in my pocket to be honest. We did get to see Alyssa Milano from a distance.

The pride of Ada, Ohio. The Wilson Football Factory. It was only $160 to make your own personalized football. No wonder my wife said don't even think about it.

Here's Matt Forte signing some autographs at the GMC stand at the NFL Experience. I just missed Cam Newton, much to my dismay.

Now here's a bit of foreshadowing I believe. Why would whoever is in charge allow that #12 Colts jersey to appear? Every team had the #12 jersey representing the mannequin. But it's a little coincidental, no?

Jim Cordle, #63 for the New York Giants. These are die-hard fans. Or family members.

This is Jim Cordle's aunts stuffed into one jersey. And maybe his sister. My co-worker is childhood friends with him. He's also a Buckeye. And now he's got a Super Bowl ring.

Night falls on Indy. Wow, we were really there.

This is where we spent the majority of our evening. This is the Giants team hotel. My wife is from the same home town as the VP of HR for the NFL. When the hotel came around and looked for credentials, she told them we were with her.

We talked about Roger Goodell, NFL Films, Peyton Manning's future in Indy, how things were during the strike, the NFL's feelings on Indianapolis hosting the Super Bowl, and a number of other things.

I saw a lot of the Giants team. I saw Kate and Rooney Mara. I talked with Mrs. Tisch. I saw Archie Manning. I talked to Spencer Paysinger, his uncles and dad. I could go on and on. We hung out with NFL and Giants family members until about 10:30 PM. It was one of the coolest memories I've ever made.

NFL Shop at the NFL Experience.

One of the cooler things to look at during the NFL Experience. Every team had one locker with unique items and equipment in it. Here's Cam Newton's.

The Wilson Football stand, hard at work.

These are fans who waited in line to get their picture taken with the Lombardi Trophy. People really do love this game.

Sam Hurd's autograph picture can be had at a markdown price. I wonder why.

We really came, conquered, and saw.

 

Here's the guys I grew up watching as a kid.